The signature of the largest contract concluded under the “AEGIS” program of total value 311.2 million euros, For the supply of eight medium -type Airbus H215 fire helicopters (with an option for additional two helicopters), Wednesday, April 30, 2025, between the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, between the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannisand the representative of the contractor ” Airbus Helicopters SAS – Airtelis – SAF HELICOPTERS ”, Bruno Even.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournasthe ambassadors of France Laurence Auerof Germany, Andrew Kindleand Spain, JorgeDomecqThe Secretary General of Civil Protection, Nikos Papaystathiouthe Secretary General of the Management of the European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund and European Social Fund Programs, George Zervosthe Commander of the Special Recovery Fund Coordination Service, Orestis KavalakisDeputy Chief Executive Officer/Growthfund, Panagiotis StamboulidesManaging Director of SAF Aerogroup, Jean-Louis CamusAirtelis/RTE Executive President, Laurent Giolitti and the Chief of the Fire Brigade Lieutenant General Theodore Wagon.
The helicopters will be gradually delivered within four years from the date of signing the contract with the contractor. The contract also provides for the operational availability of helicopters by 95% during the summer season and the readiness of take -off within 20 minutes and, inter alia, includes:
- Flying and Technical Training Services (16 people flying staff and 16 technical staff).
- Complete operational and technical support (8,700 flight hours).
The Strategic Contracts Unit (PPF) of the Hypothesis has undertaken the maturity of the project and conducted the open international bidding process on behalf of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, securing the interests of the Hellenic Republic. The Convention is funded by resources of the recovery and resilience fund and the European Regional Development Fund through the sectoral program “Civil Protection” (NSRF 2021-2027).
In particular:
- Funding by the Reconstruction and Rules Fund (TAA) is EUR 77.8 million.
- Funding by the European Regional Development Fund through the Sectoral Program “Civil Protection” 2021-2027 amounts to EUR 233.4 million.
The H215 fire helicopters are multi -mission aircraft of the Super Puma family and are equipped with 4 axan automatic pilot, which allows firefighting missions during the day and night, ensuring increased accuracy and stability. Their operational range reaches 579 nautical miles, with autonomy exceeding two hours of flight. They have a water tank with a capacity of 3,785 liters and offer transport of up to 19 firefighters.
The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannisstated: ‘On behalf of the political leadership of the Ministry, I thank you all for your presence at this event signing the contract for the supply and support of eight new medium -type helicopters of the Fire Brigade.
The process of the international competition that is being completed today is the culmination of cooperation and a work and systematic effort of many people and agencies. The people of HRIPED first, which over the years has been supported by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, developing a mechanism and a special know -how in the maturation and expertise of large and complex competitions, extremely critical for our country, but also to the Fire Department and the Fire Brigade, It successfully coordinates an extremely complex program, such as AEGIS.
Special thanks are needed to the services and bodies that have contributed to finance this major project, the General Secretariat for Management of the European Sectoral Programs and the Special Coordination Service of the Reconstruction Fund.
Mr Stamboulides, Mr Zerve, Mr Kavalaki, in your faces I would like to thank you and all your partners for contributing to this work.
It unites us I am sure all a common moral commitment and a patriotic task. Make every effort to ensure the people of the Fire Brigade and the people of the Civil Protection Mechanism the necessary in unequal battle they are fighting to deal with and natural disasters.
We will continue to do it intensively and rapidly by enhancing our infrastructure, ensuring the necessary technical equipment, incorporating new technologies and innovations and, above all, by investing in the upgrading of skills to strengthen the cognitive background of our human resources.
In the Union of Economic Authorities you represent Greece has entrusted your technical and professional competence and your ability to guarantee the safeguarding of all the necessary safety and quality of the helicopters you will hand over to the Fire Department. I want you to know that both me and the ministry’s services will be at your disposal so that we can accomplish this project in a timely and effective manner.
The cooperation we are starting today in yet another important project to tackle natural disasters is a proof of what can be achieved when Europe unites our strengths and we work collectively for a common goal. Climate change is unaware of borders, does not distinguish nations, does not discriminate between strong or weak states.
We are all witnesses in our countries and throughout the world of major natural disasters and faced with their unprecedented consequences. We all know well that we do not have “good scenarios” in front of us. The climate crisis no longer leaves any room for such. That is why it requires our constant attention, our constant readiness. It is of great importance being the proper preparation, systematic and with rules of coordination and, most importantly, taking all necessary preventive action, so that we can deal with any manifestation of extreme natural phenomena in a timely and effective manner.
In this global problem, the answer can only be collective – it can only be European and even at every possible level, institutional, organizational, economic, operational.
With the signing of today’s Convention, Greece, the Fire Brigade, will acquire 8 state -of -the -art medium -type helicopters, the utilization of which will in many cases be saved for the lives of our fellow humans, the protection of their property and the natural environment we live in and breathe. This is the real stake in the right and timely completion of this contract. This is, moreover, the broader level of the AEGIS program, which we are called upon to accomplish.
Upon completion of this flagship contract, all legal commitments under the AEGIS program amount to € 642 million, which corresponds to a rate of 29.74% today, to EUR 953 million which accounts for 45% of the total budget of the program.
Our goal at the Ministry of Climate crisis is to reach 60%by the end of the year by the end of the year. I want to invite you all to further intensify this effort, which only a superficial reading of it could see as a technocratic venture that sees nothing more than auction, legal commitments, absorption of funds. AEGIS is mainly a national, collective effort for our lives. For those and what we love».
CEO of Airbus Helicopters SAS, Bruno Evenstated: ‘The fires have destroyed an average of three to five million square kilometers worldwide in recent years, with significant environmental implications. It is a great honor that we have chosen to help address the challenge that Greek communities receive each year with helicopters H215“Said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H215 is used internationally on firefighting missions, thanks to its ability to throw more than four tonnes of water each time. Cooperation with experienced bodies such as Ferel and Row aeragroupit is precisely the strategy implemented and the Civil Protection of France (Sandcaresand Civil). OR Airbus Helicopters It is a long-term helicopter provider for critical missions to Greece and, in the context of the ” state ownership-operation by a contractor ‘, go-co, which we follow with our partners, we are sure that the H215 will be a valuable and reliable tool»
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Treasury, Panagiotis Stamboulidesstressed about the importance of the project: ‘Today is a particularly important day for civil protection and the country as a whole, as the largest contract is signed under the National Program “AEGIS”. The Civil Protection fleet is reinforced by 8 modern Airbus helicopters, with a total budget of 311 million euros, confirming the role of “AEGIS” as a strategic tool in the hands of the state to address the impact of climate crisis, protecting the natural environment and citizens’ property. Today’s evolution at the same time highlights the effectiveness of a new public contract, such as the one that promotes a strategic contract (PPF) of the Treasury, and is based on reliability, transparency and efficiency. Under the AEGIS program we have already completed more than 100 competitions totaling € 1 billion, successfully responding to the complex challenges of the project. I would like to thank my associates for the high sense of responsibility they show daily as well as the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for excellent cooperation. Our work is collective and today we have every reason to feel proud».